Chapter 16 #2
“Yes, Logan, Sierra is here,” Oz told his nephew.
Sierra glanced at a boy who had the same brown hair and gray eyes as his uncle. He was also surprisingly tall for an eleven-year-old. “Hi,” she said.
Logan studied her for a long moment, then he stepped toward her and lifted his hand. Before Sierra realized what he was going to do, Logan had run his hand lightly over the hair on the side of her head.
Oz moved at the same time Grover did. Sierra felt Grover’s arm go around her waist and pull her backward, as Oz took hold of Logan’s wrist and gently pulled his hand away.
“What? What’d I do?” Logan asked, looking up at Oz in confusion.
“It’s not polite to touch people without their permission. Remember that bully in your class, and that little girl he touched?” Riley asked.
“But…I just wanted to touch her hair. Not her boobs.” The last word was whispered as if Logan thought it was a naughty word.
“It’s okay,” Sierra said, feeling awful at how sad Logan looked.
“It’s not,” Oz said firmly.
“I’ve never seen a girl with a shaved head before. It’s cool!”
Sierra breathed out a relieved sigh. It wasn’t that she needed the little boy’s approval, but she didn’t want to have to try to explain why her hair was so short.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Riley said. “Go on back outside and check on Bria. Okay?”
“Okay. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” Logan said.
Sierra smiled and nodded at him, then he turned and ran back outside.
“I’m so sorry,” Oz said.
“It’s okay.”
“People used to do that to my sisters all the time,” Doc said. “They had the coolest braids and afro, and strangers used to come up to them and without a word, touch their hair. I never understood why white people felt it was all right to fondle Black people’s hair without permission.”
“It happens to me sometimes too,” Ember agreed.
“It’s a little weird,” Sierra admitted. “I’d never go up to anyone and run my hands over their hair without permission.
And I’m sure if I did that to a kid, their parents would probably go ape shit.
But the difference is, I’m an adult who’s fully aware that consent is important.
I don’t think Logan was considering that, and he didn’t mean anything by it. ”
Ember smiled. “And he was right about one thing…your hair is pretty cool.”
Sierra wanted to roll her eyes. She wasn’t so sure about that, but it was nice to hear.
“You should leave it short,” Riley agreed.
“I’m thinking about it,” Sierra said.
“All right. Out, ladies. You can talk about hair and makeup without us men around,” Trigger grumbled.
Everyone laughed.
“You sure you’re okay?” Grover asked as everyone headed for the backyard.
Looking up at him, Sierra nodded.
“Thanks for not making him feel worse than he already did,” Oz said, interrupting them.
“I’d never do that. He’s a curious kid.”
“Still, I’ll make sure he understands why it was rude,” Oz reassured her.
“It’s really all right,” Sierra insisted. “He wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last.”
“He will be if I have anything to say about it,” Grover mumbled.
Sierra shook her head at him. “Down, boy,” she scolded.
Oz barked out a laugh and winked at her. “Love seeing someone put Grover in his place,” he said before heading for the yard himself.
“On second thought,” Sierra told Grover, “I’m thinking I might need a glass of wine or something.”
“You got it,” he answered. “For the record…you fit in perfectly with this motley crew. Just so you know.”
“I like them. They’re…real.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized that was absolutely true.
No one seemed to be pretending to be glad to see her.
They were affectionate and genuine, saying silly things and joking around with her and everyone else.
She didn’t feel as if she had to be careful about what she said back.
Ever since she’d gotten home from overseas, she’d felt a need to watch what she said, desperate not to make anyone else uncomfortable.
She definitely hadn’t trusted anyone enough in her hometown to say what she really felt about everything that happened to her, outside of her parents.
She’d put on a brave, happy face and largely said only what she thought others wanted to hear.
It was exhausting…another thing she’d realized right at that moment.
This group of people would never judge her for anything she might say or do. Sierra felt it down to her bones. She could truly relax and enjoy their company.
“They’re real, all right,” Grover said with a bit of exasperation. “Pains in the ass sometimes, is what they are,” he mock grumbled. “Will you save me a cookie?” he asked.
Sierra smiled up at him. “Yes.”
“You say that now, but wait until you see everyone fall on them as if they haven’t eaten for months. Especially Bria—you have to watch her. She’ll charm you out of half a dozen if you let her.”
Sierra giggled. “I’ll watch out for her.”
As Grover continued to stare, Sierra recognized that look.
She licked her lips and did her best to keep herself from pushing him back into a closet or bathroom and having her wicked way with him.
The desire slammed into her out of nowhere, but she didn’t feel bad about it for a second, since she saw the same need in his own expression.
“Girl time,” he said almost desperately. “Go on, or they’ll think I’m in here making out with you or something. Not that they haven’t done the same thing with their men.”
Sierra chuckled. She could totally see the others sneaking off to be with their husbands. That was another thing she’d already noted, that no one was afraid to show their significant other how much they were loved. Going up on her tiptoes, Sierra initiated a kiss.
Grover didn’t hesitate, meeting her halfway.
“I’m happy,” Sierra told him once more. She hadn’t missed how his face had gone soft when she’d said those words the other night. If that was all it took to make him look content and satisfied, then she’d say it every day for the rest of their lives.
“Me too. Now scoot. Go forth and bond with our tribe.”
Sierra was still smiling as she made her way to the door. The second she opened it and stepped outside, a little girl yelled, “Cookies!” and made a beeline for her.
All Sierra could do was keep on grinning as she was accosted by the cookie monster she’d just been warned about.
Grover was sitting with Sierra on his lap when Trigger’s phone rang.
He stiffened, as did the other men around him.
Riley, Oz, Aspen, and Brain had all gone home already with their kids, as it was past their bedtimes.
There was no reason to think that someone calling Trigger was related to their job, but they’d all been conditioned to think the worst when they got phone calls outside their normal working hours.
“Trigger,” his teammate said as he answered.
He was quiet for a long moment as he listened to whoever was on the other end of the line. Then he said, “I understand, Sir. We’ll be there first thing in the morning. Yes, Sir. See you then.” He hung up.
Grover braced for whatever his team leader was about to say.
“That was Commander Robinson,” Trigger said. “We’re on permanent front gate duty until the damn Strong Foot Militia decides to move on.”
“Can’t they kick them out or something?” Gillian asked.
“They aren’t breaking any laws. They’re on public property,” Lefty answered.
“But they’re harassing people,” Devyn grumbled. “That has to be against the law.”
“It’s a fine line,” Doc said. “And I’m guessing no one wants to rile this particular group. They’ve got connections to other militia groups in Texas, and the last thing anyone wants is for Fort Hood to become the epicenter of a massive gathering.”
“So you guys have to what, guard the gates?” Sierra asked.
“Pretty much, yeah. We’ve done so occasionally since this started. But the post commander wants to reassure the contractors, civilians, and military personnel that they’re safe coming in and out of the gates,” Trigger explained.
“It’s not a big deal,” Grover said, trying to soothe Sierra and the other women.
“Yeah, and think of it this way, with us on permanent gate duty for the foreseeable future, that means we won’t be deployed,” Doc said with a smile.
“Ooooh, really? That’s great,” Ember said. “You can help me with the mini fencing match we’re having next weekend then.”
Doc mock groaned, and Ember smacked him in the arm.
Everyone laughed, and Grover felt Sierra relax against him once more. She’d straightened when Trigger had started speaking into his phone. He ran his hand down her arm and intertwined his fingers with hers. It was amazing how something so small made him feel so much better.
“What’d you think of The Refuge?” Doc asked Sierra.
“It was amazing. So beautiful and peaceful. The guys who run it have literally thought of everything. The food was as good as any five-star restaurant, but nowhere near as fancy. And we could do as much or as little as we wanted while we were there. The therapist who we visited was also really good. She put me at ease immediately, and even in the group sessions, I didn’t feel as if anyone was in a competition to see whose experiences were the worst… if that makes sense.”
“It does,” Doc agreed.
“How were the cabins? Were they rustic or modern?” Gillian asked.
“Ours were modern. But they also had some that were more sparse. Honestly, they have something for everyone. Oh! And Melba the cow was a highlight!” Sierra said excitedly.
“They had a cow?” Kinley asked.
“Yup. And goats. And a dog and cats. We got into a routine of going to see them after breakfast each day. I miss Melba.”
“Well, Grover does have a barn,” Lucky said with a chuckle.
“Yes! Please, Fred! You need a cow or two! And maybe some of those fainting goats. Oh! And some chickens!” his sister said.
“No,” Grover said as firmly as he could, despite knowing he could totally be talked into getting farm animals if Sierra asked.